Chadron State College Athletic Hall of Fame
“King Richard” was one of the Eagles’ better basketball players in the early 1980s. For his career, he shot 50.3 percent from the field and 79 percent from the free throw line, including 81.8 percent (81-99), as a senior in 1984-85. He averaged 14.8 points and 5.2 rebounds as a junior and 15.4 points and 5.8 rebounds as a senior.
King drew raves during his junior season in December 1983 when the Eagles played Indiana State in Terre Haute. King poured in 22 of the Eagles’ 38 points in the first half. During the radio broadcast, the Indiana State announcer said, “Who says Hakeem Olajewon of Houston is the best basketball player in America? I say it’s Rich King of Chadron State.” Later, the sportscaster said, “There’s another basket by the world’s greatest player, Rich King.”
King finished with a career-high 32 points in the Indiana State game and also scored 25 points the next night against Illinois-Chicago, one of the nation’s top NAIA teams.
He is affiliated with the family’s auto parts store in his hometown of Craig, Colo., where he also raises horses.
